Challenge
Clients pursuing new technical, operational, or facility modifications in the nuclear sector often need conceptual studies that can provide an understanding of facility and equipment requirements, programmatic and operational risks, cost estimates, and safety considerations. To support these challenges, Boston Government Services (BGS) uses sound engineering approaches to investigate innovative approaches and provide concept options. As an example, BGS developed candidate approaches, including preliminary cost estimates, for removing, storing, and/or disposing of irradiated material and fuel from an existing facility.
Solution
BGS experts in handling, packaging and storing irradiated material teamed with facility operations and design engineers to work within general requirements provided by the client and develop operational concepts for removal of the fuel and material. Candidate approaches for disposal of the irradiated material and designs for long-term storage of the irradiated fuel were conceived and defined.
The BGS staff worked closely with the client to understand the characterization of the irradiated material and fuel as well as any requirements and constraints related to their removal. BGS investigated and identified waste packages and operational approaches for the removal of small, medium, and large material components given the constrained facility openings and radioactive nature of the material. Similarly, BGS investigated facility concepts for long-term storage of the irradiated fuel. These efforts involved adherence to nuclear safety issues, assessment of packaging and transfer/transport concepts, potential storage facility needs, and estimation of cost and schedule.
Reports documenting the concepts for material and fuel removal and potential storage needs provided the client with the technical and cost basis for deciding the approach that presented the least risk to the facility and greatest opportunity for success.
This project involved:
- Development of facility and operational requirements
- Criticality safety, radiological dose, thermal and structural evaluation
- Conceptual engineering designs for irradiated fuel packages and storage facilities
- Material and irradiated fuel transport options and operational concepts
- Cost estimation and scheduling
For more information, please contact info@bgs-llc.com